Disney theme parks have been surrounded by mystery and legend since their opening. From theories that Walt Disney’s body is kept in a cryogenic freezing chamber in Cinderella Castle (he isn’t) to the gruesome rumors that a guest was decapitated on Space Mountain (it was actually a test dummy), the parks are no strangers to urban legends. Many of these are quickly debunked with a fact check, but others have stood the test of time.
Oh, and a few have turned out to actually be true…
1. Let’s talk about the dead guy in the room
Image: Disney
One of Disney’s most pervasive urban legends was only recently proven true. We’ve explored the morbid theory before that guests frequently lay their loved ones’ ashes to rest at Disney parks, particularly inside the Haunted Mansion. When I wrote about things people need to stop sneaking into Walt Disney World, I was almost tempted to leave “dead people” off the list because fans were so uncertain if the rumor was true.
Cast members have recently confirmed that yes, it is true– people regularly sneak ashes into the parks and try to disperse them there, as often as once a month. Yes, the rides have to be shut down if Disney figures out what’s going on. Disney even has a special alert and HEPA vacuum cleaner to clean up the remains when found (which… doesn’t seem like a great end for the remains of a beloved friend or family member). This practice can get guests banned from Disney parks. Those who have smuggled ashes in have done so in dozens of creative ways, and while Haunted Mansion is the most popular location for dispersal, people have spread ashes everywhere from flower gardens to the waters of It’s a Small World to even romping across the Cinderella Castle lawn while flinging the ashes into the air.
So yeah… please stop interring your loved ones’ ashes in Disney parks. NO. Just NO.
2. Speaking of dead people…
Image: Harshlight, Flickr (license)
It’s just not a Disney urban legends list without lots of speculation about dead people.
While we’ll be avoiding the sensitive subject of Disney attraction deaths, there is one other Disney parks urban legend related to the deceased. Apparently, Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean has housed a number of real human skeletons—and might still to this day.
According to former Disney producer, Jason Surrell, the designers behind Pirates of the Caribbean weren’t thrilled with the quality of the fake skeletons originally placed in the ride. To solve this annoying problem of aesthetics, they appealed to the anatomy department of UCLA and replaced a number of the skeletons with real ones. These resided in the attraction until years later when Imagineers were able to replicate the skeletons more accurately. Supposedly, all the real skeletons were returned and buried in their homelands. This part of the urban legend is almost certainly true.
The sketchier part is the claim that several human skulls (or more skeletal parts) remain in the ride. The common number cited in the rumor is three, and some cast members have claimed this is true. It’s hard to pinpoint where these mystery skeletons are. Most commonly, people point to the two skulls visible after the second waterfall and the skeleton under the beam in the burning jailhouse. Another possibility is the skull on the bed headboard. There’s no telling if recent renovations to Pirates of the Caribbean ever switched the skulls back out, but many are convinced this rumor has at least a kernel of truth to it.
3. Misbehaving on Splash Mountain
Image: Disney
I just couldn’t bring myself to title this “Flash Mountain”. The cringeworthy practice of parkgoers baring their chests for the camera on Splash Mountain is a well-documented urban legend that has long been proven true. You’ll likely never see the pictures of these naughty guests as Disney is careful to filter Photopass pictures on the monitors (such as that of a guest who was recently booted for repeatedly raising a political sign on the ride).
Fortunately, the antics have supposedly become rarer than in years previous, to the point Disneyland may have eliminated the “flash monitor” cast members for a time. Disney is always still keeping an eye out, however, to make sure the practice doesn’t return. If they were willing to ban someone for waving a political sign, that won’t bode well for anyone who brings Flash Mountain back.
4. The Yippie coup of Tom Sawyer Island
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega
I actually had not heard of this one until researching for this article, but it’s just too bizarre not to visit. Legend has it that Yippie protesters once successfully took over Tom Sawyer Island during a protest.
It’s true, though it was hilariously unsuccessful.
The Yippies—something between hippies and yuppies– were a far-far-left political group who were known for anti-establishment views and public shenanigans to draw attention to their cause. On August 6, 1970 (the 25th anniversary of Hiroshima), the Yippies planned a day of protest at Disneyland. Many assume it was to protest Disneyland’s dress code against long-haired men and facial hair, but that had already been rescinded. Rather, the protest was against involvement in the Vietnam War, and the park’s sponsor, Bank of America, represented all that they stood against.
The Yippies handed out flyers depicting Mickey Mouse wielding a machine gun and advertised hijinks for the day ranging from the liberation of Minnie Mouse to the roasting of Porky Pig. Most notably, an invasion of Tom Sawyer Island was planned. The local police and Disney officials caught wind of the plans and prepared for hordes of debaucherous Yippies to descend upon the parks.
Not very many showed up—about a hundred in all. They were badly organized but for some chants and pot smoking. The only activity they almost-sort-of succeeded at was raiding Tom Sawyer Island. The Yippies claimed the island as their own, throwing up a Viet Cong flag and causing operations for the island to shut down temporarily. Finally, when they returned to the main park and staged a march down Main Street which turned violent, the police finally entered and shut things down. Unfortunately for other guests in the park, Disneyland had to be closed early that day. The protest drew some media attention but ultimately did nothing to further their goals.
5. Everybody wants to be a cat
Image: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr (license)
Urban legend has it that Disneyland faced a serious mice problem in the 1950’s. Rather than using standard pest control methods, Disney decided to solve the issue in the most Disney-way possible: by training an army of cats to take care of the mice for them. Mickey and Minnie of course did not approve, but their protest was too little too late. Now an army of “commando cats” freely patrols Disneyland to vanquish any rodent who would threaten the Happiest Place on Earth.
This is actually partially true.
Disneyland really is home to anywhere from a dozen to a hundred feral cats who are spayed/neutered and are quietly cared for by the company. Some are even adopted by cast members if they become too friendly with humans or have a surprise litter of kittens. They weren’t introduced to Disneyland intentionally. Rather, they simply showed up, attracted by leftover food and possibly mice here and there. They built a population and settled in, finally becoming permanent guests in Disneyland. Most likely, you will never see them as they prefer to be active at night, especially since Disney discourages contact between guests and the cats. However, if you are visiting Disneyland and see a wandering cat hanging about, take a picture and count yourself privileged to have met one of the park’s best kept secrets.
6. The Mattercourt
Image: Harshlight, Flickr (license)
This one is not particularly secret, but there is still confusion regarding the urban legend whether The Matterhorn has its own full-sized basketball court hidden in the peak of the mountain. According to the rumor, Walt Disney had a problem with his plans to build a replica of the Matterhorn in Disneyland. The structure was going to exceed height restrictions for the area. To get around this, he had architects design a basketball court into the peak of the mountain so they could classify the Matterhorn as a sports arena.
This is, of course, bonkers. However, the root of the legend is true. There really is a basketball court inside the top of the Matterhorn.
There was never any devious plan to classify the Matterhorn as a sports arena—that would be too wacky even for the most pliable permitting office. We know this because there were no height restrictions in Anaheim at that time. Rather, the court (which isn’t full sized) was built as a break room for cast members participating in shows and Matterhorn climbs. With how often the Matterhorn has been used for fireworks displays, special shows, and “Mickey-Climbing-the-Matterhorn”, the break room has been well-used over the years and served its purpose well.
What other Disney parks urban legends are you aware of that turned out to be true?
